Saturday, December 30, 2006

I have added the latest Mark Cleary U.S. Counter-Drug/Law Enforcement/Homeland Security HF ALE List to my Btown Monitor Post blogspot. If you are interested in the ALE addresses and frequency information for the COTHEN Net, TISCOM Net, FBI ALE Net, US Army/DEA PANTHER Net, and US Army South Flight Following Service (SKYWATCH) Net, jump over to my other blog and take a peak.

Washington D.C. Combat Air Patrol - GUARD DOG (DC and Camp David Airspace)Since there will be a lot of VIPs in the Washongton, D.C. area over the next few days, here is a small profile on NORAD CAP frequencies and callsign that will surely be up 24/7.

The following military trunk systems should be monitored for support of the President Ford funeral events in the Washington, DC area. Reports, updates, additions and corrections would be most appreciated. Send your stuff to larryvanhorn @ monitoringtimes.com.

12/28/2006 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Military tradition will be evident throughout the events associated with the Dec. 26 death of former President Gerald R. Ford, as the services join the nation in bidding farewell to their former commander in chief.

Ford's three-stage state funeral will begin Dec. 29 with the former president's remains lying in repose at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, Calif. He then will be honored in the nation's capital, and finally in his home state of Michigan, where he will be buried.

President Ford's casket will arrive at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Dec. 30. A motorcade will travel through Alexandria, Va., where he resided while serving as a congressman and vice president. After a pause at the World War II Memorial -- the former president served in the Navy during the war -- the motorcade will proceed to the U.S. Capitol, where he will lie in state.

President Ford's coffin will be draped in a U.S. flag, with the blue field over his left shoulder. The custom began in the Napoleonic Wars of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when flags were used to cover the dead as they were taken from the battlefield on a caisson.

Graveside military honors in Michigan will include the firing of three volleys each by seven servicemembers. This commonly is confused with an entirely separate honor, the 21-gun salute. But the number of individual gun firings in both honors evolved the same way.

The three volleys came from an old battlefield custom. The two warring sides would cease hostilities to clear their dead from the battlefield, and the firing of three volleys meant that the dead had been cared for properly and the side was ready to resume the battle.

The 21-gun salute traces its roots to the Anglo-Saxon empire, when seven guns constituted a recognized naval salute, as most naval vessels had seven guns. Because gunpowder in those days could be more easily stored on land than at sea, guns on land could fire three rounds for every one that could be fired by a ship at sea.

Later, as gunpowder and storage methods improved, salutes at sea also began using 21 guns. The United States at first used one round for each state, attaining the 21-gun salute by 1818. The nation reduced its salute to 21 guns in 1841 and formally adopted the 21-gun salute at the suggestion of the British in 1875.

An "order of arms" protocol determines the number of guns to be used in a salute. A president, ex-president or foreign head of state is saluted with 21 guns. A vice president, prime minister, secretary of defense or secretary of the Army receives a 19-gun salute. Flag officers receive salutes of 11 to 17 guns, depending on their rank. The rounds are fired one at a time.

A U.S. presidential death also involves other ceremonial gun salutes and military traditions. On the day after the death of the president, a former president or president-elect -- unless this day falls on a Sunday or holiday, in which case the honor will rendered the following day -- the commanders of Army installations with the necessary personnel and material traditionally order that one gun be fired every half hour, beginning at reveille and ending at retreat.

On the day of burial, a 21-minute gun salute traditionally is fired starting at noon at all military installations with the necessary personnel and material. Guns will be fired at one-minute intervals. Also on the day of burial, those installations will fire a 50-gun salute -- one round for each state -- at five-second intervals immediately following lowering of the flag.

The playing of "Ruffles and Flourishes" announces the arrival of a flag officer or other dignitary of honor. Drums play the ruffles, and bugles play the flourishes - one flourish for each star of the flag officer's rank or as appropriate for the honoree's position or title. Four flourishes is the highest honor.

When played for a president, "Ruffles and Flourishes" is followed by "Hail to the Chief," which is believed to have been written in England in 1810 or 1811 by James Sanderson for a play by Sir Walter Scott called "The Lady of the Lake." The play began to be performed in the United States in 1812, the song became popular, and it became a favorite of bands at festive events. It evolved to be used as a greeting for important visitors, and eventually for the president, though no record exists of when it was first put to that use.

The bugle call "Taps" originated in the Civil War with the Army of the Potomac. Union Army Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield didn't like the bugle call that signaled soldiers in the camp to put out the lights and go to sleep, and worked out the melody of "Taps" with his brigade bugler, Pvt. Oliver Wilcox Norton. The call later came into another use as a figurative call to the sleep of death for soldiers.

Ford will be buried with full military honors at his presidential museum in Grand Rapids, Mich., Jan. 3.

(John D. Banusiewicz of American Forces Press Service contributed to this article. Information from Web pages of the Military District of Washington and Arlington National Cemetery was used in this article.)

Photo Credit: Military tradition will be evident throughout the events associated with the Dec. 26 death of former President Gerald R. Ford, as the services join the nation in bidding farewell to their former commander in chief. (DOD photo/Cherie A. Thurlby)

12/28/2006 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Almost 4,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard members are gearing up to support the national farewell to former President Gerald R. Ford that will span a seven-day period with events in California, Maryland, the nation's capital and Michigan.

"This is DOD's way of showing respect and honor to a former commander in chief and president, so it's very important to us," said Army Col. Jim Yonts, public affairs officer for the Military District of Washington.

The military's experience in planning, attention to detail and execution makes it ideally suited to conducting state funerals honoring former presidents, Colonel Yonts said.

"It ensures the synchronization of many, many moving parts, with ground assets, air assets, intelligence assets and all kinds of other assets coming together to ensure a safe and secure state funeral that properly honors a former commander in chief and president," he said.

The MDW, operating as the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, will serve as the Defense Department's command and control headquarters for the funeral activities. Military support ranges from color guards and honorary pallbearers to airlift and other transportation to logistics, Colonel Yonts said.

About 100 members of a joint-service honor guard from throughout the National Capital Region arrived Dec. 27 in Palm Desert, Calif., where Ford will lie in repose Dec. 29 and 30, he said.

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., will coordinate events in California, and the Michigan National Guard will coordinate events in Michigan, he said.

The U.S. Marine Corps Twentynine Palms Band will play a military arrival ceremony and private family prayer service at 4 p.m. Dec. 29 at Palm Desert's St. Margaret's Episcopal Church.

After the service, Ford's remains will lie in repose through early Dec. 30. Members of the Washington-based 3rd U.S. Army Infantry Regiment, "the Old Guard"; the U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial and Guard Company; the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard; the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard will attend the casket, Yonts said.

A military honor guard will accompany Ford's remains as they are flown to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Dec. 30.

There, a joint-service honor cordon and color guard will meet them for a 5:30 p.m. arrival ceremony. The U.S. Air Force Band will provide music, and The Old Guard's Presidential Salute Battery will render a 21-gun salute, Colonel Yonts said.

Joint-service pallbearers will carry the casket to a hearse, which will lead a motorcade through Washington, D.C., en route to the U.S. Capitol. The motorcade will pause in front of the World War II Memorial, a tribute to Ford's service in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Once at the east side of the Capitol, the pallbearers will carry Ford's casket into the House chambers, where he will lie in state to commemorate his many years as a U.S. congressman. From there, the pallbearers will carry the casket to the rotunda to lie in state, before moving it again to the Senate chambers to honor Ford's time as vice president, and therefore, president of the Senate.

On Jan. 2, the pallbearers will carry the casket down the Senate steps to the awaiting hearse. His motorcade will proceed to a 10:30 a.m. state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral, where President Bush will speak.

Following the state funeral, Ford's body will be flown to Grand Rapids, Mich., for burial on the grounds of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in the former president's hometown.There, he will lie in repose before being moved at 1 p.m. Jan. 3 for a private funeral service at Grace Episcopal Church, Colonel Yonts said. Following the ceremony, the casket will be returned to the presidential museum for burial.

Throughout the funeral events, every branch of the armed forces and the U.S. Coast Guard will provide personnel, support and ceremonial units to the Joint Task Force National Capital Region, Colonel Yonts said. These ceremonial units have participated in state funerals for Presidents Eisenhower, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Reagan.

Photo Credit: President Ronald Reagan was the last former president to receive a state funeral, in June 2004. The bugle call "Taps" originated in the Civil War with the Army of the Potomac to signal the end of the day. The call later came into another use at funerals as a figurative call to the sleep of death for soldiers. (U.S. Air Force file photo)

Thursday, December 28, 2006

We have some really neat stuff in our January 2006 Monitoring Times Milcom column.

Titled, The FLTSATCOM System - we cover indepth the FLTSATCOM UHF milsat birds, including their entire frequency bandplan (downlink/uplinks) and current operational status. This is the most comprehensive coverage of this satellite system since I first wrote up this system in my old book, Communications Satellites. And yes, we still have two of these satellites on station and in operation. So as I have said before, "miss one issue of MT and you miss a lot."

WASHINGTON - The Coast Guard reminds all boaters that beginning January 1, 2007, both 121.5 and 243 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are prohibited from use in both commercial and recreational watercraft. Boaters wishing to have an emergency rescue beacon aboard their vessel must have a digital 406 MHz model.

The January 1, 2007, date to stop using 121.5 MHz EPIRBs is in preparation for February 1, 2009, when satellite processing of distress signals from all 121.5/243 MHz beacons will terminate. Following this termination date, only the 406 MHz beacons will be detected by the International Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System which provides distress alert and location data for search and rescue operations around the world.

The regulation applies to all Class A, B, and S 121.5/243 MHz EPIRBs. It does not affect 121.5/243 MHz man overboard devices which are designed to work directly with a base alerting unit only and not with the satellite system.

This change, in large part, was brought about by the unreliability of the 121.5/243 MHz beacons in an emergency situation. Data reveals that with a 121.5 MHz beacon, only one alert out of every 50 is a genuine distress situation. This has a significant effect on expending the limited resources of search and rescue personnel and platforms. With 406 MHz beacons, false alerts have been reduced significantly, and, when properly registered, can usually be resolved with a telephone call to the beacon owner. Consequently, real alerts can receive the attention they deserve.

When a 406 MHz beacon signal is received, search and rescue personnel can retrieve information from a registration database. This includes the beacon owner's contact information, emergency contact information, and vessel/aircraft identifying characteristics. Having this information allows the Coast Guard, or other rescue personnel, to respond appropriately.

In the U.S., users are required by law to directly register their beacon in the U.S. 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database at: http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/ or by calling 1-888-212-SAVE. Other users can register their beacon in their country's national beaconregistration database or, if no national database is available, in the International Beacon Registration Database at https://www.406registration.com/.

The United States Coast Guard is the lead agency for coordinating national maritime search and rescue policy and is responsible for providing search and rescue services on, under and over assigned international waters and waters subject to United States jurisdiction.

Thanks to Leo Salas and the DFW Scan gang for passing along this press release. And remember if you have something to share with the blog and our readers, please send it along to larryvanhorn @ monitoringtimes.com.

The good folks at Monitoring Times magazine are offering a special, limited time, discounted rate of US$14.95 on a one year MT Express subscription if you mention the BLOG page (Editor’s Page, Fed Files, Milcom, Monitoring Post, Shortwave, and Ute World) you are viewing right now. This is a great price on a great magazine and you get MT delivered electronically every month well before the print edition hits the streets.

This special offer is for first-time subscribers and renewals. This offer is available for a limited time only (must be used by the close of business December 31, 2006) and can only be used one time per customer.

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What is MT Express?MT Express is the same magazine as our printed version, but it is presented in Adobe Acrobat portable document file (pdf) format, including full color photography and active links to URLs and email addresses. It is the fastest and easiest way to get the information and frequencies you need on the radio hobby. You can see what is in current issue of MT on the MT website, including sample MT Express issue.

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My old friend and former MT columnist Robert Wyman has made a couple of trips to MacDill AFB, Florida, area and did some VHF/UHF monitoring. During those sessions Robert intercepted the base trunk system and he has passed along the following profile of the TRS at that base. Thanks Robert.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

This message below has been posted to the Navy/Marine Corps MARS website.

PP NOALLDE NNN0ASA 139P 211235Z DEC 2006FM NNN0ASA VATO NNN0ALLZEN/AAA9A AZZEN/AGA3C ILBTUNCLASSUBJ: MARSCOM SATELLITE INITIAL OPERATIONS1. THE FOLLOWING WAS RECEIVED FROM NNN0APR MDE, ON THE LATEST STATUS OF THE MARSCOM SATELLITE:QUOTEFOR ALL NAVY MARINE CORPS MARS AND ALL ARMY AND AF MARS:AT 0156Z ON 21 DECEMBER, THE MARSCOM SATELLITE WILL DEPLOY FROM THE SPACE SHUTTLE AND BEGIN OPERATING. IT'S PACKET CALLSIGN IS NMARSANDWE INVITE ALL ACTIVE MARS MEMBERS TO TRY TO COPY ITS WEAK SIGNAL ON------ MHZ +/- 2 KHZ. THE MODE WILL BE AX.25 PACKETS BUT IN SSB MODE.IT WILL ONLY TRANSMIT ONE PACKET A MINUTE UNLESS WE HAVE USERS PINGING THE SPACECRAFT. TO PING NMARS, SIMPLY SEND AN UNPROTO PACKET VIA NMARS ON THE NAVY MARS UPLINK OF ------- FM STANDARD PACKET. IF THE SPACE CRAFT HEARD YOU, IT SHOULD DIGIPEAT THE PACKET. THIS WILL GIVE YOU A SIGNAL TO TUNE IN AS THE DOPPLER CHANGES.THE PRIMARY MISSION OF MARSCOM WILL EVENTUALLY BE FOR VOICE NETS, BUT THE COMMAND AND CONTROL REQUIRES PACKET. AND SO WE CANNOT ACTIVATE THE VOICE TRANSPONDER UNTIL WE HAVE COMMAND. THIS WILL BE HARD DUE TO THE DOPPLER AND SSBDOWNLINK.SO WE INVITE ALL MARS STATIONS THAT ARE CAPABLE OF PACKET, TO PING ON------- FOR THE FIRST DAY OR SO OF OPERATION DURING PASSES OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE (THEY WILL BE IN SIMILAR ORBITS FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS).PLEASE MONITOR THE ------- FREQUENCY BEFORE TRANSMITTING BECAUSE IT IS A VERY COMMON INPUT OR OUTPUT TO OVER 60 NAVY MARS REPEATERS ACROSS THE USA. IT IS OFTEN PAIRED WITH ------- MHZ SO CHECK BOTH FREQUENCIES TO MAKE SURE A NET IS NOT IN PROGRESS BEFORE TRANSMITTING TO THE SATELLITE ON -------. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SEE HTTP://WWW.EW.----------------/MARSCOM.HTMLBOB --------, NNN0APRUS NAVAL ACADEMY SATELLITE LABANNAPOLIS, MDUNQUOTENOTE: THE SATELLITE OPERATES 1200 BAUD VHF PACKET.2. A LATER E-MAIL UPDATE INDICATES MARSCOM WAS SUCCESFULLY DEPLOYED AND NNN0APR REPORTS THAT TELEMETRY HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE SATELLITE INDICATING BATTERIES ARE CHARGING UP.3. NAVMARCORMARS: PROUDLY SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE.BTNNNN

Since Bo and the Navy MARS folks continue to play their secrecy game, here is the scoop in the MARScom (ie frequencies) direct from a public website associated with the mission. Someone really needs to teach these people that you can't run from Google.

As first published on this blog July 24, 2006:

If STS-116 launches in December, it will carry two experimental satellites into orbit built by students at the US Naval Academy.

RAFT is a US Naval Academy Aerospace student project currently manifested on Space Shuttle Mission STS-116. It is designed to give students real hands on experience in satellite engineering, design and operations. The USNA RAFT hopes to accomplish the following objectives:

The education of Midhsipmen in Aerospace Engineering See their RAFT WEB page.

Development of our ability to design/construct CUBESAT/Picosat type spacecraft

As usual there is the usual MARS frequency disclaimer on the main webpage stating that the MARS frequencies are sensitive and will not be published. But also as usual digging around the website and its links revealed the following:

What is amazing to me is that the brain thrust in MARS actually thought they could keep the frequencies of their orbiting satellite secret. It is obvious that they are not technically the sharpest knives in the drawer. Someone needs to educate these folks that low earth orbiting platforms are quite easy to hear, even on simple multimode handhelds. Duh huh!

Several C-17 Globemaster IIIs fly as part of a 20-ship formation Dec. 21 over South Carolina. The C-17s, assigned to the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings at Charleston AFB, were part of the largest formation in history from a single base and demonstrated the strategic airdrop capability of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

And via Mark Cleary:

Charleston AFB breaks C-17 flying record

by Airman 1st Class Sam Hymas 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

12/21/2006 - CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The largest formation of C-17 Globemaster IIIs from a single base took off from here Dec. 21 in a demonstration of Charleston AFB's strategic airdrop capability.

After taking off at 9:30 a.m. at 30-second intervals, the 20 C-17s flew over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and then back over the base to "wave" at maintenance, aerial port and other support Airmen who helped make the flight possible.

The formation continued to North Auxiliary Field near Orangeburg, S.C., and completed a massive airdrop.

"The 437th and 315th Airlift Wing partnership allows us to deliver a huge amount of airpower in a short amount of time," said Col. Steven Harrison, 437 AW vice commander. "This training demonstrates the outstanding teamwork between both organizations to be mission ready when the nation needs this critical capability."

The formation was designed to help Airmen involved complete needed training. More than 500 training events took place during the flight and seven aircrews were certified as formation airdrop leads.

"We had a chance to see the muscle and the might the 437th Airlift Wing can put forward," said Capt. Jaron Roux, 15th Airlift Squadron pilot who was the aircraft commander on the second plane in the formation.

The 437th Airlift Wing must be able to meet the Army's goal of airdropping a brigade's worth of Soldiers and their equipment within 30 minutes. An Army brigade includes about 3,250 Soldiers and 3,450 tons of equipment.

Additionally, nine of the C-17s practiced aerial refueling as part of the training. "It's important to us to stress our organization occasionally and make sure we're able to support the Global War on Terrorism and still respond to any other contingency in the world. We must make sure we can generate the crews and the aircraft in a timely manner," said Colonel Harrison.

On average, more than 200 tons of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom cargo is processed through the 437th Aerial Port Squadron daily with approximately 65 percent of all air cargo bound for American warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan originating here."I don't know if there's another unit in the world that could do this," said Colonel Harrison.

Several C-17 Globemaster III's wait on the flightline prior to launching as part of a 10-ship formation training exercise Dec. 20 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. Key players included the 62nd Airlift Wing and 446th Maintenance Group, which will generate, launch and recover the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Abner Guzman)

by Tyler Hemstreet12/21/2006 - MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFPN) -- Like an iron alligator in the sky, a band of 10 C-17 Globemaster IIIs flew in formation Dec. 21 from Puget Sound to eastern Washington .

Taking off in five-minute intervals from McChord AFB, C-17s with aircrews from the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings rendezvoused in the sky to align into a single file formation before performing an airdrop over a site near Moses Lake.

The objective of the exercise was to test all the organizations and different aspects of the mission that have to come together to facilitate launching, executing and recovering a large formation of C-17s in a short period of time, said Lt. Col. Gregory Schwartz the 8th Airlift Squadron and mission commander.

"It's a great chance to get some valuable training and test our abilities to work together to meet a significant mission requirement," Colonel Schwartz said.

Flying a mere 2,000 feet between each plane, the 10-ship exercise added a level of difficulty pilots don't get when they are just simulating flying in routine, three-ship formations, Colonel Schwartz said.

The yearly exercise also enlisted the work of the 62nd and 446th Maintenance Groups members, who generated, launched and recovered the aircraft; 62nd Aerial Port Squadron members who built and recovered the platforms for the airdrop portion of the mission; and from 62nd Logistics Readiness Squadron members who supplied the transportation and fuel for the aircraft.

The 62nd Maintenance Group started planning for the operation a month ahead of time calling in reinforcements to help prepare all the jets, said Lt. Col. Thomas Jackson the deputy group commander of the 62nd Maintenance Group.

Several maintenance training crews were pulled from their programs to get "real, live hands-on training" and a team from the 373rd Training Detachment Squadron even pitched in, Colonel Jackson said.

While the exercise utilized the same training drop zones as usual for aircrews, the large formation presented a unique opportunity for pilots, said Col. Damon Booth the commander of the 62nd Operations Group.

"It's routine training, just more complex because there are that many planes in the air at one time," Colonel Booth said. "We're trying to exercise the formation because it could be something we are required to do."

This information originally appeared in the July 2006 MT Milcom column. Copyright 2006 by Monitoring Times magazine and Teak Publications. For personal use only. All rights reserved and not for redistribution in any form.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Thanks to Adam (AirShowFreak) for this piece he cross posted to several list. So time to remove HCS-5 callsign and squadron common frequencies from our databases and websites. Wonder how many will really do it? We will know pretty soon, won't we!

NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) -- More than 500 Sailors, former unit members, and family attended the disestablishment ceremony Dec. 3 for Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron (HCS) 5 aboard Naval Air Station North Island.

The ceremony served to commemorate the past missions of HCS-5 and the official end of activities for the specialized Reserve helicopter squadron.

"Today we disestablished the Navy's most combat effective helicopter squadron of the past 30 years," said Cmdr. Patrick Baccanari, the unit's commanding officer.

Established in 1988, HCS-5 was a Naval Air Reserve Squadron under Commander, Helicopter Wing Reserve, San Diego, and Naval Air Reserve Force, New Orleans. The squadron, which was composed of selected and full-time support Reservists, flew the HH-60H Seahawk helicopter primarily for combat search and rescue, and to support Sea, Air, Land (SEALs) and other special warfare units.

HCS-5, along with its sister squadron, HCS-4, were the only Navy squadrons that perform both combat search and rescue and special warfare support as their primary missions.

The keynote speaker was former HCS-5 Commanding Officer, Capt. Dan Pinkerton, who spoke proudly of the lineage and the history of the unit. Pinkerton had served in various division officer tours for Vietnam-era Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron (HAL) 5, the precursor to HCS-5.

During his speech, Pinkerton saluted all the men and women who had served in the unit, past and present. He ended his speech with an emotional goodbye and the words, "Born in combat, standing down in combat. We did our duty."

The disestablishment is part of the Naval Air Reserve's plan to reshape its aviation forces. The "Firehawks" filled a role shared by its sister squadron, the Norfolk, Va.-based "Red Wolves" of HCS-4, which also is slated to be disestablished.

"This ceremony marks a transition for our Sailors, but we are not losing the capability nor the talent of our people," said Rear Adm. Jeffrey Lemmons, vice commander, Naval Air Forces. "They will go on to serve in other units and keep this mission alive, and their skill sets well-honed."

Guests at the ceremony included Sailors from the early days of Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3, HAL-5, and HCS-5. Many used this opportunity to reunite with old friends and reminisce about the "old days."

"I am glad to be here," said Dennis Russell, a former HCS-5 member who flew in from El Paso, Texas. "I am lucky to have served with such great people."

Some felt the bond to the unit very strongly and got emotional when they spoke of their feelings about the disestablishment.

"As a junior Sailor in the unit, I got to work with people who had combat experience in Vietnam," said Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class Shawn Porter. "They took me in and showed me how to do things right. I will never forget them. The experience I gained here will be with me for the rest of my Navy career."

Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Richard Sanchez, a member who had been with the unit for 15 years, said that this has been the best unit he has worked with and they have proved what they can do for the Navy.

"I see the same pride and dedication to service in the Sailors today that we had during the days of Vietnam. This unit is the best of the best," said Aviation Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Mike Dobson, a member of HAL-3 "Seawolfs," the grandfather of HCS-5.

Capt. James Iannone, commodore of Helicopter Wing Reserve San Diego and New Orleans, summarized his thoughts about the unit after the ceremony.

"When I think of this unit, I think of the words, 'The many have come to rely on the few.' These men and women are the proud few who stand together and have served whenever and wherever they are called," Iannone said.

Earlier this year, the Firehawks received the Navy Unit Commendation for exceptionally meritorious service from March 2003 through April 2004.

During this period, the squadron completed more than 1,700 combat flight hours and 900 combat air missions in direct support of U.S. and multinational special operations forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After reading the orders of disestablishment and words of goodbye from their commanding officer, the Sailors of HCS-5 were dismissed by the executive officer. The Sailors filed out proudly and silently to begin a new chapter in their lives.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

12/19/2006 - A KC-10 Extender from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing pulls into a parking spot Dec. 19 after returning from a mission over Iraq. The air refueler is part of the largest air-refueling unit in Southwest Asia consisting of KC-10s and KC-135 Stratotankers. The KC-10 can carry about 56,000 gallons of gas, enough to fill a sport-utility vehicle 1,400 times. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jason Tudor)

"(This) successful launch was accomplished from the outstanding teamwork from all organizations to include the 30th Space Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, NRO, and recently named United Launch Alliance," said Col. Jack Weinstein, 30th SW commander.

"Vandenberg ensures national security with each executed launch, continuously proving that no one does it better," he said.

"The perfect orbit insertion we achieved is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the professional Airmen of the 30th Space Wing," said Lt. Col. David Goldstein, commander of the 4th Space Launch Squadron. "The 4th SLS along with the 30th Launch Support Squadron and the Aerospace corporation conducted launch base mission assurance guaranteeing 100 percent mission success and we delivered; the satellite launched will provide invaluable intelligence data to support the war on terrorism."

The next United Launch Alliance mission from Vandenberg AFB will be an Atlas V in the spring.

Here is a little profile I have put together on an Italian Air Force HF ALE network that is being heard on a regular basis over in Europe. The NCS for this net appears to be the 46th Aerial Brigade, ALE Address - Charly 46 .

Operational testing will verify the antenna is fully prepared to conduct satellite supports as part of the squadron's 24-hour mission, said station manager Bill Rayfield.

"It's important that we do this testing right so we can get this asset online," said Lt. Col. Stan Stafira, the 23rd SOPS commander.

Passive autotrack tests went exceptionally well, said 1st Lt. Jason Parslow, the chief of the hardware and communication projects for the Space and Missile Systems Center detachment at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and site Government Program Office lead.

The testing that began Dec. 14 is the first of four rounds of tests. Phase two will be a second operations confidence test; the third phase will be a segment verification test, and the final phase will comprise integrated system testing.

Installation of the new antenna began July 12, 2004. Construction of the radome housing the antenna was finished Sept. 15, 2005. The radome's primary purpose is to protect the antenna from the environment, keeping maintenance and downtime to a minimum.

The new antenna replaces a 44-year-old antenna that was decommissioned in 2004 due to a bad azimuth bearing. Master Sgt. Mike Norton, a quality assurance evaluator with 23rd SOPS, recalled seeing the original antenna before it was retired.

"Imagine an antenna weighing 119,000 pounds moving 15 degrees per second," Sergeant Norton said. "That was impressive for an antenna built during the early days."

Increasing demand on AFSCN resources took its toll on the antenna, which was originally designed for a 10- to 12-year lifetime.

"We loved that old antenna," said Randy Smith, an ARTS operator. "Taxpayers sure got their money's worth out of it."

While the new antenna was under construction, SMC's Transportable Space Test and Evaluation Resource filled in for the original antenna.

Monday, December 18, 2006

The good folks at Monitoring Times magazine are offering a special, limited time, discounted rate of US$14.95 on a one year MT Express subscription if you mention the BLOG page (Editor’s Page, Fed Files, Milcom, Monitoring Post, Shortwave, and Ute World) you are viewing right now. This is a great price on a great magazine and you get MT delivered electronically every month well before the print edition hits the streets.

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WASHINGTON - Air Force officials announced December 15, 2006, the release of an updated draft Request for Proposals for the KC-X, the aerial tanker replacement aircraft.

"This continues our open and transparent acquisition process," said Mrs. Sue Payton, the Air Force senior acquisition executive. "We're releasing this document so our partners in Congress, the Department of Defense and industry can continue the dialogue we've established."

Payton said the release of the final RFP is expected in January and that her goal remained to complete the source selection process by the end of the current fiscal year.

The KC-X, the Air Force's number one acquisition priority, is the replacement vehicle for the KC-135 which recently celebrated its 50th year of service with the Air Force.

Officials said the KC-X will have a primary mission of aerial refueling, allowing the Air Force to retain the Global Reach that supports the Global War on Terror.

"The tanker is the number one procurement priority for us right now. In this global Air Force business, the single point failure of an air bridge, the single point failure for global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance or the single point failure for global strike is the tanker," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff. Additionally, service officials expect the KC-X to have the capability to carry cargo as well as airlifting personnel.

"All three missions of the aircraft are vitally important," said Lt. Gen. Donald Hoffman, the Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, "but first and foremost the KC-X is the next generation in aerial refueling."

The draft RFP incorporates changes that respond to concerns expressed by Congress, DOD and potential offerors, to include addressing the litigation concerning large civil aircraft pending before the World Trade Organization.

"The Air Force has revisited its position on the WTO issue concerning the tanker replacement program based upon discussions with the offerors," said Mr. Kenneth Miller, Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. "In the updated draft RFP we've added a clause that makes certain costs associated with the WTO litigation unallowable expenses under the contract."

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Tacsat-2 and GeneSat-1 were launched this morning aboard the Minotaur-1 rocket from the Mid Atlantic Regional Spaceport (aka Wallops island) at 1200 UTC (7:00 am EST). Preliminary information indicates that the satellites were placed into a 410 km circular orbit inclined 40 degress. No other information is currently available, except the video of the launch at the link below which was just released. http://www.wff.nasa.gov/multimedia/video/tacsat2.wmvHope to have some sort of official launch announcement before the day is out.

Jason R. posted to the Milcom newgroup the following scanner frequencies that he monitored pre-launch. Thanks Jason for sharing that with all of us.

Looking at the early Lacrosse satellite missions, Ted is correct, but, of course, the Lacrosse radar imaging missions are launched into much higher altitude orbits (nearly double the height of NROL-21).

My best guess, at this early stage, is that this is probably some sort of mission sensor platform other than a visual photo recon imaging mission. It also could be a new sensor development mission. But that is "only" a best guess!

Friday, December 15, 2006

I have been meaning to post this for quite sometime, but I have been a bit busy lately. ;-))

But let's get this party started. Here is a fun satellite monitoring project anyone with a VHF/UHF scanner can participate in.

One of the best ways to determine if you can monitor the UHF Milsats with your present scanner setup is to check for activiy on the four major fleet broadcast downlinks. These are 24/7 frequencies that broadcast an unmistakable data signal as noted on the frequencies below.

So here is the game. It would be interesting for all my blog reporters to plug these frequencies in and let the rest of us know which ones you are hearing. As part of this project if you have a directional capability, let us know the direction you hear these broadcast from. But you must include your monitoring location. Now if you wish to remain anonymous, you can send your report directly to me at larryvanhorn @ monitoringtimes.com (obviously close this up when you email me).

Everyone with a scanner can participate and let's see what UHF milsat bandplans look like from around the world. I will post complete results on the blog in about a week. If this is successful then I will add more milsat projects on the list.

So give that dial a whirl and let us all know which of the big four above you are hearing from your shack.

This is a compilation of five stations under the ground track from 259.700 MHz AM. The stations who recorded parts were #hearsat members: fltsatcom (USA), BLH (USA), pjm (UK), typhoon (Germany) and geraki (Greece).

Thanks Paul for the fine work and the great audio file. And remember if you have something to share with the blog and our readers, please send it along to larryvanhorn @ monitoringtimes.com.

Out of thin airHuge new NSA facility suddenly appears on Fort Gordon’s radar

By Corey Pein

It’s a boom time for spooks. Much like the Pentagon’s Cold War megaprojects put entire cities on the map virtually overnight, the untold billions in tax dollars now pouring into the intelligence agencies fighting the Global War on Terrorism are beginning to trickle down to the local level.And Augusta is about to get a $340-million taste of Sweet Tea.

Editors Note: This new NSA construction project at Fort Gordon is called "Project Sweet Tea."

Mark Cleary checked in this morning with a bit more info on yesterday's blog post on FEMA operating on the COTHEN network.

From Mark, "I've seen a gradual increase in FEMA activity on the COTHEN network in the past year. I've noticed FEMA stations became active on the network during the last two significant weather events in the southeastern United States, Tropical Storm Ernesto, and the major storm that blew through the Carolinas in November. This past weekend some new stations appeared conducting phone patches via the Customs Service Center to emergency management EOCs in South Carolina, Florida, and Alabama. Perhaps we may see some operational FEMA traffic on the network the next time a hurricane makes landfall in the southeast."

Mark passes along these FEMA ALE station addresses he has monitored on the COTHEN network this year:

A regular reader of this blog has made a trip out to the Henryville, Indiana RCAG site used by the Indianapolis ARTCC. By monitoring and using the Uniden Close Call feature, our Hoosier State reporter files the following frequencies for this site:

Unknown usage (This is a high atitude sector, 66 if my notes are correct-LVH)128.375 -- 317.525

Thanks to our field reporter for this update on the Henryville RCAG. And remember if you have something to share with the blog and our readers, please send it along to larryvanhorn @ monitoringtimes.com.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

One of the more interesting government nets on HF is the COTHEN net. The COTHEN (Customs Over the Horizon Enforcement Net) HF radio system replaced the older DoD JTF designated frequencies/system. Not only are ICE and DEA units using this net, but US Mil, USCG, US Army Corps of Engineers, and now FEMA have shown up on COTHEN. Here are the current COTHEN Scan frequencies:

I have had no recent reports on 18027.0 (FOX 9) or 23271.0 kHz (FOX 8). Has anyone in the last year heard any AFSOC units using the FOX designators above? Also, the following frequencies were active with AFSOC activity until the overhaul of the OR frequencies several years ago. Does anyone know what frequencies have taken their place? 4721.0 6712.0 9017.0 9023.0 kHz.?

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Keith Stein, the editor of Launchspace, is reporting that the TacSat-2/Minotaur 1 launch set for Monday, December 11 (as previously reported here on MT-Milcom), has been delayed until at least Friday, December 15, 2006, as the earliest possible launch date.

Here is a list of previous parts and the dates they appeared on this blog:Part 1 Monday May 29, 2006Part 2 Tuesday, June 06, 2006Part 3 Tuesday, June 13, 2006Part 4 Tuesday, June 20, 2006Part 5 Wednesday, July 5, 2006Part 6 Wednesday, July 26, 2006Part 7 Thursday, August 24, 2006Part 8 Thursday, September 14, 2006Part 9 Thursday, November 9, 2006

280.100 UHF Wideband280.150 Duress Alarm System280.500 Supervisor of Flying Common281.400 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions281.425 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions281.450 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions281.475 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions281.500 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions281.525 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions281.550 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions282.000 Coronet aerial refueling - east coast282.200 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions282.225 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions282.250 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions282.275 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions282.300 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions282.325 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions282.350 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions282.375 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions282.400 ICE Air-Ground/Air Pursuit282.425 ICE Air-Ground/Air Pursuit282.600 NORAD Tactical - CAP/AWACS/Refueling282.675 USAF Command and Control282.700 Aerial Refueling Established Tracks282.800 DoD Search and Rescue (worldwide)283.250 USAF Command and Control/JStars discrete283.400 USN Command and Control283.550 USCG District 5 Command Center SAR frequency283.700 USAF AETC East Coast T-6 Texan II Flight Demon Team283.750 USAF AMC/JOSAC interplane common283.800 USAF ACC Air-to-Air Flight Support283.875 USAF AMC/JOSAC interplane common283.900 Aerial Refueling Established Tracks284.000 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions284.100 DoD Range Control Common284.150 USAF Command and Control/Have Quick284.200 USN Command and Control284.250 USN Command and Control/Blue Angel Discrete284.400 USN Command and Control284.425 USAF Metro (Europe)284.450 USN Afloat Training Nets284.475 USN Afloat Training Nets284.600 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions284.625 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions284.650 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions284.675 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions284.700 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions284.725 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions284.750 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions285.100 USN Command and Control285.300 USN Command and Control285.400 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions285.425 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions285.450 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions285.475 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions285.500 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions285.525 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions285.550 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions285.575 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions285.600 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions285.625 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions285.650 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions288.250 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions288.275 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions288.300 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions288.325 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions288.350 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions288.400 NORAD Tactical - CAP/AWACS288.900 USAF Aerial Refueling ACC Spare/Exercise/Contigency CONUS & ACC Pilot Training Comms289.050 USAF Command and Control/Have Quick289.175 USAF AMC Special Operations Air-to-Ground289.400 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions289.700 USAF Aerial Refueling Coronet CONUS

Monday, December 11, 2006

The launch of Tacsat 2 on a Minotaur-1 rocket from Wallops has been postponed. Tacsat is having problems pointing its solar panels properly (possibly software related). There is no estimate when the launch will occur now. One official at the pre-launch press conference said, "It could be a couple of days, it could be three weeks, it's too early to tell right now."

More as we get it on the launch of this new military communications satellite.